Onduparaka Vs
Police (*Police did not show up – League committee
will pronounce themselves on the development)

Thursday: Kyetume 1-0
SC Villa

Vipers Sports Club recovered from a goal down to overcome a resilient 10 man Bright Stars 3-1 on a water logged Mutesa II Wankulukuku Stadium surface on match day one of the Uganda Premier League on Friday.

Defender Enock Walusimbi gave the Japanese owned
outfit the first half lead with a great headed goal past Vipers’ Burundian
goalkeeper Fabien Mutombora in the 28th minute.

In the second half, Vipers reacted swiftly and
gallantly scoring through the day’s captain Abraham Ndugwa, Dan “Muzeyi”
Sserunkuma and second half substitute Brian Nkuubi Ssemakula who buried the
game with a free-kick past former Onduparaka goalkeeper Nicolas Ssebwato.

Dan Sserunkuma (right) shoots during the game at Wankulukuku on Friday

Initially before the goal, it was Vipers that
enjoyed the better possession on a water logged surface that followed earlier
rains in the day.

Dread-locked Sserunkuma won Vipers the first corner
kick of the game 13 minutes after kick off.

Four minutes later, Sserunkuma had a squared ball
from the far right that found Fahad Bayo in off-side position.

It was Sserunkuma again in the 19th
minute but the diminutive forward was denied by goalkeeper Ssebwato from close
range.

Vipers’ new signing Farouk Musisi from Zambia’s
Nkola Blades had a free-kick curled out from 20 yards on 22 minutes.

Two minutes later, the same player (Musisi) had
another free-kick well handled by goalkeeper Ssebwato.

Against the run of play, Bright Stars took the lead when Walusimbi headed home a Methidoious Jjugu delivery from the left.

Rahmat Ssenfuka beats to Augustine Kacancu to the ball

The reaction to find the equalizer was spot on.
Skipper Ndugwa curled a free-kick wide from 30 yards towards the climax of the
first half.

The game’s first caution by referee Mashood Ssali
was given to Bright Stars’ defender Farouk Katongole.

Three minutes upon restart of play, Vipers found
the equalizer when Ndugwa tapped home Bayo’s cut back from close range.

The Venoms took command of the game for the first
time after a great rebound from goal poacher Sserunkuma who finished home a
spilled ball from Ssebwato after Bayo’s venomous shot.

A couple of changes were then made by the two
respective technical benches.

Tito Okello was introduced for Allan Kayiwa with a quarter an hour for Vipers as midfielder Henry Kiwanuka replaced Jungu for the home side.

Bright Stars’ striker James Angu aloft high to chest control a high ball

Vipers’ other new signing Denis Mwemwezi was
introduced for Sserunkuma before Moses Okot came in for Bright Stars.

With minutes fast trickling down, Vipers were
granted numerical advantage when Katongole was cautioned for the second time
and given marching off orders.

Substitute Nkuubi wrapped up the game for Vipers
with a seemingly harmless free-kick that slipped through the hands of Lukwago
into the net for the third goal deep in added time.

Abraham Ndugwa takes on Bright Stars’captain Enock Walusimbi

At this time, it was done and dusted. Vipers had secured maximum points on match day one.

Abraham Ndugwa was named the pilsner man of the match, taking home a plaque and cash (Shs 100,000).

Enock Walusimbi gets to the ball ahead of Fahad Bayo. Bayo had two assists in Viper’s goals

Other results:

At Mandela National Stadium, URA convincingly beat
Maroons 3-0 with Saidi Kyeyune, an own goal (Ronald Orombi) and new signing
Ivan “Kojja” Ntege all on target.

BUL piped visiting Express 1-0 courtesy of
Deogracious Ojok’s strike.

Meanwhile, the game between Onduparaka and Police
at the Prisons’ Stadium in Luzira did not take place because Police failed to
show up for unclear reasons.

Match day one winds down on Saturday, 31st
August 2019 with three matches.

Defending champions host newly promoted Wakiso
Giants at the Star Times Stadium, Lugogo in one of the eagerly anticipated
crackers on the opening round.

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